Later this year, Australians will be asked to decide whether to change our Constitution and create a permanent Indigenous Voice.
The referendum is not simply about “recognition”. Both major political parties support that.
All fair-minded Australians want to help Indigenous Australians in disadvantaged communities improve their lives.
However, this Voice proposal represents the most radical change to our Constitution – our nation’s rule book – in our history.
The Government has overlooked the concerns of many legal experts. It is pursuing a Voice that covers all areas of “executive government”.
That means no issue – the economy, national security, infrastructure, health, education and more – would be beyond its scope.
Many legal experts warn this Voice could risk years of litigation. The High Court would determine its powers, not the Parliament.
Enshrining the Voice into the Constitution would mean it is permanent. When we need to unite the country, this would permanently divide us by race.
Furthermore, the Government refuses to provide basic details about how the Voice will operate. They want Australians to vote first before working out the detail.
This Voice is legally risky, with unknown consequences. It’s divisive and permanent. Yet when Australians raise reasonable concerns, they’ve been dismissed.
Fortunately, the referendum won’t be the choice of any politician, corporation or celebrity.
It will be the choice of every Australian.
You can read more about Labor’s Voice by going to https://www.liberal.org.au/laborsvoice or downloading the pamphlet here.